BILL ANALYSIS
AB 4 X2
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 4 X2 (Cardoza)
As Amended July 9, 2001
2/3 vote. Urgency
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|ASSEMBLY: |71-0 |(May 24, 2001) |SENATE: |39-0 |(July 19, |
| | | | | |2001) |
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Original Committee Reference: PUB. S.
SUMMARY : Requires electrical providers to notify local law
enforcement of planned blackouts.
The Senate amendments clarify that a "public entity" is defined
as a local, publicly owned electrical utility as specified in
the Public Utilities Code.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee analysis, potential minor local costs for increased
local incarceration.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill required:
1)An electrical corporation or public entity that provides
electric power to immediately notify the Commissioner of the
California Highway Patrol and the sheriff and chief of police
of the specific area within their jurisdictions that will
sustain a planned loss of power as soon as the planned loss
becomes known as to when and where that power loss will occur.
2)That the notification to law enforcement include common
geographical boundaries, grid or block numbers of the effected
area, and the next anticipated power loss area designated by
the electrical corporation or public entity during rotating
blackouts.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "The current energy crisis
has had the unfortunate consequence of causing blackouts
throughout California. During a blackout entire neighborhoods
can be placed at risk as traffic lights fail to function and
burglar alarms are made inoperable.
AB 4 X2
Page 2
"AB 4 X2 requires electrical service providers to notify local
law enforcement agencies when and where a blackout will occur.
Power generators and electric service providers throughout the
state have inconsistent methods for notifying local law
enforcement officials of planned power losses. In some cases,
electric service providers refuse to give specific information
about the geographical areas affected making it extremely
difficult for additional officers and deputies to be deployed in
a timely manner. This bill will provide our police and sheriffs
with the necessary tools to prevent crime and protect the public
safety of all Californians during a blackout."
Please see the policy committee analysis on AB 30 X1 (Cardoza)
for a more detailed discussion of this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Bruce E. Chan / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744
FN: 0001858